Fundamental Rights of People of Pakistan - By: Munir M Hasan, PhD

Recently, the High Court of Islamabad and the Supreme Court of Pakistan have taken notices of the sit-in (Dharna) of some Islamic parties at Faizabad, Islamabad, who are demanding the resignation of a federal minister. The honourable courts have taken these notices on the consideration that the demonstrators have stopped the free movement of the common man which is the basic right of every citizen. Of course, these demonstrators have snatched the basic rights of those who want to travel on these closed roads, and the courts are justified in taking these notices to protect the basic rights of the people using these roads. However, this action of the honourable courts has reminded me of many other basic rights of the people of Pakistan which are being violated openly. This sit-in might have affected just a few hundred thousands people of Rawalpindi-Islamabad for a couple of weeks only, but some other fundamental rights of the people which have been affecting tens of millions citizens of Pakistan for decades, are being neglected completely and no notice has ever been taken. Some of these are:

To get education is the fundamental right of every citizen of Pakistan. However, tens of millions of children of Pakistan are deprived of their right to go to schools.
To get proper health facilities is the fundamental right of every citizen. However, people die due to non-implementation of this right, and the mothers are seen delivering their babies on the roads.
To get the security is the fundamental right of every citizen. However, the people feel insecure not only on the roads, but even in their homes.
To get the honour protected is the fundamental right of the people. However, the people, especially the women, are being dishonoured and the REAL culprits are not punished.

To get protection of the lives and properties of the people is the fundamental right of every citizen. However, people are being target killed and robbed of the belongings and their properties for decades.

Every citizen of Pakistan has the fundamental right to live in Pakistan with honour and dignity, and travel to other countries respectfully. However, long ago, this honour has already been lost.

To get clean drinking water is the fundamental right of the people. However, according to some estimates, 80 percent people of Pakistan do not have access to the clean water.

To get public money protected from the corrupt ruling elites is the fundamental right of the people of Pakistan. However, the public money is being misused, rather embezzled lavishly, and given to the cronies as bribery, and no notice has ever been taken to stop this embezzlement.

And now, as a result of the recent Act of parliament Pakistan will be known to the world as the paradise of the corrupt leaders.

AND
To get justice promptly is the fundamental right of the people of Pakistan. However, the court cases continue for years, rather for decades. Many corrupt people have been hiding under the stay orders of the courts and these cases are not decided. It clearly amounts to the denial of justice. I particularly refer to the corruption cases of the elites which have not been decided in decades and they are free to play with the fate of Pakistan.

Just to make one point clear, disqualification of the former Prime Minister is not a punishment because it is only a disqualification to contest the elections. Punishment is still awaited.
I wish, the Apex Court should also have taken notice of this trail of abuse of fundamental rights, and punished the culprits to safeguard the fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan.